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Getting To Know The Island Of KRK
Out of the 1200+ islands and islets that make up Croatia, the island of Krk is one of the two largest of them all. The island provides 157 square miles of golden beaches, ancient ruins, lush forests, and more. Located in the Adriatic, there are many reasons to pay the “golden island” a visit. Though Krk can be overshadowed by the more well-known Brač and Hvar, this island may soon jump to the top of your list of places to visit.
How to Get There
When thinking about how to arrive on an island, most people think of a plane or a boat as a means of transportation. When getting to Krk, the best route is actually via bus or car, though there are boats and ferries that can take travelers there as well. The closest airport to the island is in the nearby coastal city of Rijeka. Travelers can then catch a bus from the city or rent a car and drive to the island via the long, scenic arch bridge. After driving for nearly one mile across the bridge, it is time to explore the island of Krk! Now the question is, what is there to do?
Historic Sites
There is a lot to see on this island for history enthusiasts. Krk contains many beautiful churches and cathedrals, as well as the ruins of a few castles. One castle still stands tall in the town of Krk, called Frankopan Castle. The castle faces the coast, formerly acting as a lookout post to protect against any potential attacks on the island coming from the sea. Located on the southern end of the island are the remnants of the Church of St. Lucy. Discovered within the church’s remains was the Baška tablet, one of the first recordings of Croatian writing dating all the way back to 1100 A.D, which now resides in a museum in Zagreb.
Nature
Krk is also a destination for admirers of nature, offering a lot of biodiversity on one island.The island of Krk contains over 1400 species of plants, totaling almost half of all of the species in the entirety of Croatia! One of the plant species is a small white flower called Barbašova lazarkinja that is only found in the southern coast in Baška.
There are many beaches along the coast, all merging with enticing crystal clear water. Some of the beaches are hidden, taking a bit of effort to find but providing more of a secluded experience. Other beaches are more popular and located close to restaurants and cafès, such as Baška beach, a great location to catch an oceanside sunrise or sunset. Travelers can also take in the spectacular view of mountains from many locations around the island. Mountains from the mainland and surrounding islands can be seen from almost any area around the coast of Krk. The island itself contains mountains, the tallest of which is called Obzova.
Adventure
Speaking of Obzova, the mountain is a great place to hike, with the summit offering panoramic views of the picturesque island. There are many other hiking trails weaving throughout the island, passing ancient ruins, dense forests, and two freshwater lakes. If viewing the island from the peak of the mountain is not enough, those feeling adventurous can fly through the treetops at one of the zipline locations on the island.
Krk is also home to a few caves, both sea and land. Biserujka cave is located in northern Krk and is full of massive stalagmites and stalactites. The cave is open for exploration, containing safe pathways for viewing the enchanting formations found underground. There are also sea caves on nearby island coasts that are easily accessible by boat. Travelers can find boats on the coast offering transportation to caves such as Love cave, which is located on the nearby tiny island of Plavnik. The cave is perfect for swimming and diving, with the water appearing to be the color of a deep blue from the sun shining through a small opening at the end of the cave.
Lodging
After reading all about the island of Krk, there is no doubt that travelers will want to stay and explore for more than one day. For those who enjoy being close to nature, there are camp sites around the perimeter of the island. There are also a few “glamping” sites located around the island, for travelers who want to feel like a part of the outdoors, but aren’t quite sure about sleeping in a tent. Of course there are many villas, resorts, and hotels for everyone else that prefers to stick to a more traditional way of vacation lodging.
Whether travelers choose to explore Krk for a few days or just one, this island is not to miss when visiting Croatia. Add this island to any island hopping adventure, or create a custom travel itinerary that encompasses all of your ideal destinations on one spectacular adventure!
